Peach tree named ‘Snow Eden’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of peach tree ( Prunus persica ). The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., with standard commercial fruit growing practices, such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consist of the following combination of desirable features:
         1. Tree having a vigorous, upright growth habit.   2. Tree being a regular and productive bearer of medium to large size fruit.   3. Clingstone fruit with firm, white flesh.   4. Fruit with good flavor and eating quality.   5. Fruit having an attractive dark red skin color.

Botanical designation: Prunus persica.

Variety denomination: ‘Snow Eden’.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY Field of the Invention

In the field of plant genetics, we conduct an extensive and continuingplant-breeding program including the organization and asexualreproduction of orchard trees, and of which plums, peaches, nectarines,apricots, cherries, almonds and interspecifics are exemplary. It wasagainst this background of our activities that the present variety ofpeach tree was originated and asexually reproduced by us in ourexperimental orchard located near Modesto, Stanislaus County, Calif.

PRIOR VARIETIES

Among the existing varieties of peach trees, which are known to us, andmentioned herein, ‘Sitka’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,799) and theproprietary non-patented peach seedling selections ‘60ZM590’, ‘13LW44’,‘43ZN430’ and ‘178LX472’.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of peach tree (Prunus persica) wasdeveloped by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif.from a first generation cross between our proprietary non-patented peachseedlings ‘60ZM590’ and ‘43ZN430’. The seed parent (60ZM590) originatedas an open pollinated seedling from our proprietary non-patented peachseedling ‘13LW44’. The pollen parent (43ZN430) originated as an openpollinated seedling selection from our proprietary non-patented peachseedling ‘178LX472’. A large number of these first generation crosseswere budded to older trees of ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented) toaccelerate rapid fruit production. Under close and careful observationwe recognized the desirable tree and fruit characteristics of thepresent seedling and selected it in 2013 for additional asexualpropagation and commercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

In 2013 asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety of peachtree was by budding to ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), asperformed by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto,Calif., and shows that reproductions run true to the original tree andall characteristics of the tree and its fruit are established andtransmitted through succeeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present new and distinct variety of peach tree (Prunus persica) isof large size, vigorous, upright growth and a regular and productivebearer of medium to large size, white flesh, clingstone fruit with goodflavor and eating quality. The fruit is further characterized by havingfirm flesh and an attractive dark red skin color. In comparison to itsproprietary non-patented peach seed parent ‘60ZM590’ the fruit of thenew variety has white flesh compared to yellow flesh and isapproximately 10 days earlier in maturity. In comparison to itsproprietary non-patented peach pollen parent ‘43ZN430’ the fruit of thenew variety is larger in size and is approximately 6 days later inmaturity. In comparison to the commercial variety ‘Sitka’ Peach (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 23,799) the fruit of the new variety is approximately 2weeks earlier in maturity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimensof the foliage and fruit of the present new peach variety. Theillustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, anexterior and sectional view of a single fruit divided in its sutureplane to show flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place.The photographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked(shipping ripe) from a 3 year old tree and the colors are as nearly trueas is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety ofpeach tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based on observations of3 year old specimens grown near Modesto, Calif., with color inaccordance with Munsell Book of Color published in 1958.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Large, usually pruned to 3 to 3.5 meters in height and            width for economical harvesting of fruit. Size varies with            different cultural practices.        -   Vigor.—Vigorous, growth of 1.5 to 2 meters in height the            first growing season. Varies slightly with type and            fertility of soil, climatic conditions and cultural            practices.        -   Form.—Upright, usually pruned to vase shape.        -   Branching habit.—Upright, crotch angle approximately 30°,            increases with heavy crop load.        -   Productivity.—Productive, thinning and spacing of fruit            necessary for desired market size fruit. Number of fruit set            varies with climatic conditions during blooming period.        -   Bearer.—Regular, has had adequate fruit set 2 consecutive            years. No alternate bearing observed.        -   Fertility.—Self fertile.        -   Density.—Medium dense, usually pruned to vase shape to            increase air movement and sunlight to enhance fruit color            and health of fruit wood.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy in all stone fruit growing areas of            California. Tree grown in USDA Hardiness Zone 9. Winter            chilling requirement approximately 550 hours at or below 45°            F.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Medium, average circumference 43.3 cm at 22.9 cm above            ground on a 3 year old tree.        -   Stocky.—Medium stocky.        -   Texture.—Medium shaggy, roughness increases with age.        -   Color.—Varies from 5Y 2/2 to 5YR 2/4.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average circumference 10.4 cm at 1.2 meters            above ground. Crotch angle approximately 30°, increases with            heavy crop load.        -   Surface texture.—New growth relatively smooth. Mature growth            medium rough, roughness increases with age.        -   Lenticels.—Average number 24 in a 25.8 square cm area.            Average length 5.1 mm. Average width 2.6 mm. Color varies            from 10YR 6/10 to 5YR 6/10.        -   Color.—New growth varies from 5GY 6/6 to 2.5GY 6/6. Mature            growth varies from 5YR 3/6 to 7.5YR 3/6, varies with age of            growth.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Medium to large. Average length 142.4 mm. Average            width 38.2 mm.        -   Form.—Lanceolate.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Cuneate.        -   Margin.—Serrate.        -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface texture.—Upper surface relatively smooth, slight            indentations over midrib and leaf veins. Lower surface            relatively smooth, except for small ridges created by midrib            and pinnate venation. Both upper and lower surfaces            glabrous.        -   Petiole.—Average length 9.6 mm. Average width 1.3 mm.            Longitudinally grooved. Surface — glabrous. Color varies            from 5GY 4/4 to 5GY 3/4.        -   Glands.—Type — reniform. Size — large. Average length            1.7 mm. Average diameter 1.0 mm. Average number 2, varies            from 1 to 3. Located primarily on the base of leaf blade and            upper portion of petiole. Color varies from 5GY 4/4 to 7.5GY            5/6.        -   Stipules.—Average number 2. Average length 10.8 mm. Edges —            pectinate. Color varies from 7.5GY 5/6 to 5GY 4/6.        -   Color.—Upper surface varies from 2.5GY 3/4 to 5GY 3/4. Lower            surface varies from 2.5GY 3/4 to 5GY 4/4. Midvein color            varies from 10Y 7/4 to 2.5GY 7/4.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Size.—Large. Average length 20.8 mm. Average diameter 11.9            mm.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy with respect to California winters.        -   Density.—Dense.        -   Form.—Conical, becoming elongated just before opening.        -   Pedicel.—Medium. Average length 5.7 mm. Average width            1.2 mm. Surface — glabrous. Color varies from 5GY 5/6 to 5GY            5/8.        -   Color.—Varies from 5RP 7/8 to 7.5RP 7/8, color fades with            age.-   Flowers:    -   -   Blooming period.—Date of First Bloom Feb. 9, 2016. Date of            Petal Fall Feb. 19, 2016, varies slightly with climatic            conditions.        -   Size.—Large, showy. Average height 21.5 mm. Average diameter            51.4 mm.        -   Petals.—Normally 5, alternately arranged to sepals. Size —            large. Average length 23.3 mm. Average width 21.7 mm. Form —            obovate. Petal apex — rounded. Petal base — truncate. Margin            — sinuate. Arrangement — overlapping. Both upper and lower            surfaces glabrous. Color varies from 5RP 8/4 to 5RP 7/6,            fades with age of flower.        -   Sepals.—Normally 5, alternately arranged to flowers. Size —            large. Average length 7.0 mm. Average width 6.6 mm. Shape —            triangular. Apex — rounded to triangular. Margin — entire.            Color — upper surface varies from 5GY 5/6 to 5R 2/4. Lower            surface varies from 2.5R 3/2 to 5R 2/4. Surface — upper            surface glabrous, lower surface pubescent.        -   Stamens.—Average number per flower 47. Average filament            length 15.9 mm. On average, the stamens are above the height            of the petals. Filament color varies from N 9.5/(white) to            5RP 9/2. Anther color varies from 5R 3/10 to 7.5R 3/8.        -   Pollen.—Self fertile. Color varies from 2.5Y 7/12 to 2.5Y            6/10.        -   Pistil.—Number — normally one. Average length 19.0 mm.            Position of stigma an average of 1.0 mm below anthers.            Surface — pubescent. Color varies from 10Y 7/6 to 2.5GY 7/6.        -   Fragrance.—Moderate.        -   Color.—Varies from 5RP 8/4 to 5RP 7/6.        -   Pedicel.—Average length 5.1 mm. Average width 1.7 mm. Color            varies from 2.5GY 5/8 to 5GY 5/6. Surface — glabrous.        -   Number flowers per flower bud.—Normally one.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe and ready for            consumption.        -   Date of first picking.—May 16, 2016.        -   Date of last picking.—May 26, 2016, varies slightly with            climatic conditions.        -   Size.—Medium to large. Average diameter axially 59.2 mm.            Average transversely in suture plane 65.0 mm. Average weight            161.9 grams, varies slightly with fertility of the soil,            amount of thinning and climatic conditions.        -   Form.—Globose.        -   Suture.—Slightly lipped.        -   Ventral surface.—Slightly lipped.        -   Apex.—Slightly retuse.        -   Base.—Retuse.        -   Stem cavity.—Rounded to slightly elongated in suture plane.            Average depth 6.3 mm. Average diameter 8.2 mm.-   Stem:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average length 11.8 mm. Average diameter 3.5            mm.        -   Color.—Varies from 5GY 6/6 to 5GY 5/6.-   Flesh:    -   -   Ripens.—Evenly.        -   Texture.—Firm, meaty.        -   Fibers.—Few, small, tender.        -   Firmness.—Good, comparable to other commercial peach            varieties.        -   Aroma.—Slight.        -   Amydgalin.—Undetected.        -   Eating quality.—Good.        -   Flavor.—Good, mild, sweet, sub-acid flavor.        -   Juice.—Moderate amount, enhances flavor.        -   Acidity.—Not available.        -   Brix.—Average Brix 14.0°, varies slightly with amount of            fruit per tree and climatic conditions.        -   Color.—Varies from N 9.5/(white) to 5Y 9/2.        -   Pit cavity.—Average length 33.3 mm. Average width 25.2 mm.            Average depth 9.9 mm. Color varies from 10Y 8/4 to 10Y 7/4.-   Skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Pubescence.—Moderate amount, short in length.        -   Tendency to crack.—None.        -   Color.—Ground color varies from 5Y 8.5/2 to 7.5Y 9/2.            Overspread with 7.5R 3/6 to 10R 3/6.        -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to flesh.        -   Astringency.—None.-   Stone:    -   -   Type.—Clingstone, strong adherence to flesh.        -   Size.—Large. Average length 32.2 mm. Average width 24.9 mm.            Average thickness 19.7 mm.        -   Form.—Obovoid.        -   Base.—Flat.        -   Apex.—Rounded.        -   Surface.—Pitted throughout, pits vary from round to            elongated.        -   Sides.—Unequal, one side extending further outward from            suture plane.        -   Ridges.—Small, narrow ridges extending from base toward            apex.        -   Tendency to split.—None to very slight.        -   Color.—Varies from 7.5YR 8/4 to 10YR 7/4 when dry.-   Kernel:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average length 16.7 mm. Average width 10.2 mm.            Average depth 6.2 mm.        -   Form.—Ovoid.        -   Viability.—Partially viable, incomplete embryo development.        -   Skin color.—Varies from 5Y 9/2 to 5Y 9/4.-   Use: Dessert. Market — local and long distance.-   Keeping quality: Good, held firm in cold storage 2 weeks at 38° to    42° F. without shriveling, internal breakdown of flesh or    appreciable loss of flavor.-   Shipping quality: Good, showed minimal skin scarring or flesh    bruising during picking, packing and shipping trials.-   Plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility: No specific testing    for relative plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility has been    designed. Under close observation during planting, growing, and    harvesting of fruit, under normal cultural and growing conditions    near Modesto, Calif., no particular plant/fruit disease resistance    or susceptibility has been observed. Any variety or selection    observed during indexing of plant characteristics with abnormal    fungus, bacterial, virus or insect susceptibility is destroyed and    eliminated from our breeding program. No atypical    resistances/susceptibilities have been noted under normal cultural    practices. The present new variety of peach tree, its flowers,    foliage and fruit herein described may vary in slight detail due to    climate, soil conditions and cultural practices under which the    variety may be grown. The present description is that of the variety    grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Modesto,    Calif.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree(Prunus persica), substantially as illustrated and described.